Busy year for Fiji netball

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Members of the Fiji Pearls extended squad sweats it out during their first training session for this year at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva on Saturday, January 04, 2025. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki has unveiled an exciting 2025 calendar packed with local and international competitions, development programs and capacity building initiatives.

The Fiji Pearls will kick off the year at the PacAus Sports Series in February, while the men’s team prepares for an international tournament in Australia, followed by the Singapore series.

The Baby Pearls under-21 netball team is focusing on an intense preparation schedule leading up to the Netball World Youth Cup (NWYC) in Gibraltar.

Locally, the Fiji National Sports Commission’s funding has allowed for new tournaments including a 21-and-under Tri-Nations Cup and an international men’s competition.

There are also plans to host a 17-and-under tournament to identify the next wave of talent as the current 21-and-under players transition into the Pearls squad.

Development remains a top priority for Netball Fiji.

Training sessions for administrators, technical officials and volunteers are planned to strengthen support for the sport.

Additionally, Netball Fiji will conduct nationwide rallies to encourage participation and ensure netball is played across as many regions as possible.

“We continue to prioritise the development of our sport and our people,” Sorovaki said.

“Our focus is on building capacity and assisting districts in running games and strengthening their teams.”

With a packed schedule and a strong focus on a grassroots development, netball Fiji is optimistic about elevating the sport across the nation this year.